The regional district is phasing out residences in its parks and considers the Belcarra cabins to be in poor condition. Arlen Redekop / PNG

Residents of six cabins in Belcarra Regional Park who were set to be evicted next month have received a temporary reprieve.

Last March, Metro Vancouver served notice that it was ending a tenancy agreement with the Belcarra Preservation Society, so that it can open up the area for public use, repurpose six cabins as “interpretive landscape displays” and preserve historic Bole House. The use of a seventh cabin remains to be determined.

The regional district is phasing out residences in its parks and considers the Belcarra homes to be in poor condition.

The structures are in an area south of the park’s main beach and pier, known as Belcarra South.

The residents disputed the eviction notice with the Residential Tenancy Board. The case was heard by an arbitrator in January and a ruling delivered late last month.

“I can confirm that the arbitrator recently rendered a decision setting aside the eviction,” said Metro Vancouver spokesman Don Bradley. “We are of the opinion that the arbitrator erred in arriving at his finding, and as such we are currently exploring a range of options.”

One of those options is to appeal the ruling. Metro has 60 days to apply for a judicial review.

Bradley said the arbitrator’s ruling has delayed Metro’s work on the area, but it is still going ahead with the planning process. The potential fate of one of the cabins was discussed at a parks committee meeting this week.

“(It’s) safe to say that we will be continuing to proceed with the plan to convert to public space, non-residential, for the benefit of all,” Bradley said.

Jo Ledingham, a longtime cabin resident and member of the Belcarra South Preservation Society, said she didn’t wish to comment on the ruling.